Relational Mastery Retreat: RETREAT FULL

Relationships can be so painful.

We are a social species – and we long for intimacy and the goodness of love. But when we experience relational harm, we close off to joy, ease and open relating. We find ourselves stuck in relational patterns of push and pull, living out the blueprints we learned early in life.

Are you ready to break through these cycles of suffering?

So much of our suffering is multiplied by our habitual and unskillful responses to the inevitable hurt, frustration and disappointment of being close to others. We lose touch with the goodness. We withdraw from those we love, we become defensive, we act out, and we start to shape ourselves for others. We avoid conflict and leave relationship wounds to fester and compound. These are the survival mechanisms that fail us in ongoing adult relationships, and these habits become stubborn obstacles to our happiness. 

Imagine doing something different.

These patterns are behaviours that have become automatic until we stop, pay attention and explore with open honesty. Imagine developing the orientation and stability to wake up in relationship. Imagine having the skill to pause during conflict  with friends and loved ones, to return to a steady, safe and open space where we can bring personal mastery and resourcefulness.
 

Anchor key relational skills so they are available in the stormiest conflict.

At this retreat, we will learn this orientation together -- exploring and internalizing the skills to consistently return to healthy relating and intimacy. 

During this weekend you will:

• Learn the essentials of regulating your nervous system and coming back to your wise adult self;
• Get access to powerful strategies for navigating relational disruption without causing harm to yourself or others;
• Identify and explore your most sensitive and vexing triggers;
• Practice, practice, practice clearly presented skills to gain a more fluid relational competency;
• Receive community support and extraordinary facilitation – modeling, and clear guidance to anchor your capacity to return to a grounded emotional intelligence.

“Elle has guided me on no less than three couple therapy journeys. One with my wife, the other with my closest friend, and the last with my business partner! Each time she has skillfully guided my most important relationships from dark places that seemed intractable and unsolvable. In doing so, I have learned in the most practical way how to become a functional adult that can relate skillfully to myself and others. Her razor sharp insight cuts to the heart of the matter, opening up the creative, loving possibility that is latent in every stuck situation. She's the Elder so many of us have been looking for. To have her in my corner has been one of the more precious gifts I've received.”  Ronan Harrington

Who is This For?

This retreat is ideal for people who have done some personal work and are ready to break through the difficult defensive habits that keep us bound to cycles of suffering. Many of the relational practices will be done in dyads. 

Couples, friends and individuals can work together exclusively or rotate through the group.

What to Expect

Our days will include guided awareness meditation, teachings, exploratory exercises, insight practices and contemplative inquiry.  Relational skills will be taught, reviewed and practiced alone and in pairs. Insights and take-aways will be shared in circle.  Couples will have identified their core relational “conundrum” and will leave with a well-defined plan. Similarly, each participant will leave with a map of their most challenging intimacy-sabotaging behaviours and alternate skills and insights for continued practice.

We will include restorative time to delight in nature at the beautiful Asha Centre.

Retreat Details:

• Arrive Friday 11 October 3pm
• Evening program begins after dinner 7:30 – 9pm
• Saturday & Sunday programs break for meals and end with an after-dinner practice.
• Check-out from Asha Centre on Monday after breakfast or stay an additional night for £125pp.

Early bird discount of £50 off for registration and payment in full by 8 August. Registration will stay open until all places are filled. Limited scholarships are available: Contact Elle right away at coachingcascadia@gmail.com  to apply.  

Preparation details will be sent upon registration.

Venue

This retreat is located at the stunning Asha Centre in the forest of Dean. 

Our main sessions will take place in the practice hall - a glass building near the main house

There are gardens and woodland to explore, a labyrinth for contemplative practice, and the main house with a spacious dining room and drawing room.

Accommodation

Most rooms are twin rooms, with the occasional 3 person room. If you'd like your own room then you can select the own room supplement option at booking.

If you are attending with a partner or friend, then please let us know who so we can put you in the same room.

Your Facilitator

Elle Rosenthal 

Elle Rosenthal is a private teacher known for helping students to cut through difficulty with a kind and wise approach. She integrates mindfulness training, Buddhist dhamma, Diamond Approach, Relational Life Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing and trauma recovery with insight practices for knowing the truth. 

Elle also brings deep experience of guiding personal work in nature from leading wilderness expeditions, plant ceremonies and vision quests worldwide. She sails with her partner in the wild places of BC, Canada.